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KANSAS
(Law passed in 1994; weakest of the nation’s 43 charter laws)
Kansas has consistently had one of the weakest charter laws in the country and the law is often considered one in name only. Charters are not separate, independent public schools, but operate more like alternative district schools.
INDEPENDENT OR MULTIPLE AUTHORIZERS – NO APPROVAL
State Board of Education approves all charter school applicants after the school board approves the application.
APPEAL
None
OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY STATE
No. Exemptions from particular laws, regulations, and policies are not automatic. Charter schools must identify in their charter application the rules from which they would like to be exempt, and the State Board of Education approves or denies the requests. Law allows virtual schools. The law states that an education service provider can establish a charter school, and can submit an application and be approved directly. There is no additional information regarding ESPs in the law.
LOCAL
No. Ultimate control over the charter school remains with the school district. Charters must file for specific waivers from school district regulations, and the state board must approve them.
TEACHER FREEDOM
No. Teachers are considered employees of the district. Teachers are required to participate in state’s retirement program.
NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ALLOWED CAP
No legal limit on number of schools that may be approved.
EQUITY STUDENT FUNDING
Funding for charter schools is not addressed in the charter law, leaving it entirely to the discretion of the school district, which ensures inequitable funding. Authorization of appropriations contained in 20 U.S.C.A. § 7221j (West)
FACILITIES FUNDS
No Additional Funds.
IMPLEMENTATION POINTS -3
Three points are deducted because the state has imposed a de facto cap by not encouraging or working to improve the charter environment.
LINK TO THE KANSAS CHARTER SCHOOL LAW THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CHARTER SCHOOL LAW
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